Conrad Logan fully appreciates his stunning Hibernian debut might be his one and only game for the club – but he is just happy he showed what he can do an unforgettable day at Hampden Park.
Logan was signed on a short-term deal on March 30 specifically for the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final because Mark Oxley was suspended for the game against Dundee United.
And he proved a fine choice as he produced a string of top-class saves during a goalless 120 minutes and then stopped United’s first two penalties in the shoot-out.
A 4-2 victory on penalties set up Hibs for their fourth cup final in five seasons but Oxley will want his place back for Wednesday’s visit of Ladbrokes Championship winners Rangers plus the return trip to Hampden on May 21.
However, manager Alan Stubbs will not find it easy to drop the fans’ new cult hero.
Logan, who turns 30 on Monday, said: “I’m just grateful and happy for myself that I have put in a performance that will hopefully give him a decision to make.
“I was brought in because Mark was suspended and to fight for a place in the team.
“They are fortunate now, they have three goalkeepers they can choose from.
“If it is my one and only game, it was a good game. But when I signed, I wanted to play, I wanted to get this game and give the manager something to think about.
“Hopefully I can play again but it’s not down to me, it’s down to the manager to make that decision.”
Logan has been without a club since leaving Leicester last summer following 14 years with the Foxes and had not played since suffering a serious Achilles injury while on loan with Rochdale in December 2014.
“The plan was to come up and fight for my position, and with the game being on TV, put myself in the shop window,” the Irishman said.
“You can only do what you can do and affect out on the pitch and thankfully things went my way, and hopefully people have seen that.”
The goalkeeper had endured a difficult time before his fairytale return to action.
“It was a frustrating injury, a long injury, and one I couldn’t really do much about to get it better quicker,” he said. “It was a tendon and it needs time to heal.
“Your head’s all over the place when you are injured and sitting in the house for so long.
“I am 29, nearly 30, and I feel I have time on my side. I just had to be patient and grind through it when bad thoughts are in your head.
“I was reassured by the surgeon my leg would be pretty much back to normal through time. It was difficult for the first few weeks and you start wondering, but I feel great now.”
Logan, who got the nod ahead of Finnish goalkeeper Otso Virtanen, had expected he would need to wait until next season before getting a new club.
“I was wondering if I was going to be playing a game this season because teams have keepers and you are looking for an injury or suspension,” he said.
“I was back training for a couple of weeks and got the phone call and I was delighted to come up.
“I have been training for a few weeks and feel great and was champing at the bit to play.”
